Dont forget good life insurance to cover the ever decreasing safety margin,And maintenance outsourcing.

Dont forget good life insurance to cover the ever decreasing safety margin

You can't be serious.

And maintenance outsourcing.

What's that to do with the pilots? :(

You can't be serious.What's that to do with the pilots? :(

In the area I'm originally from, charter flying is considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs... you're flying small twins in mountainous terrain in tough weather, often in ice probably for an employer who is likely on the knife edge of profitability who is cutting ever corner possible... if you have a wife and kids (not that you could ever support a family on your meager wages), but you'd better have life insurance!Outsourcing: I've read some horror stories about the caliber of some of the mechanics that are being brought in (cheap imported labor who are not properly trained). You know, it's not like a car where you can just pull over :-)

What's that to do with the pilots? :(

In the area I'm originally from, charter flying is considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs... you're flying small twins in mountainous terrain in tough weather, often in ice probably for an employer who is likely on the knife edge of profitability who is cutting ever corner possible... if you have a wife and kids (not that you could ever support a family on your meager wages), but you'd better have life insurance!Outsourcing: I've read some horror stories about the caliber of some of the mechanics that are being brought in (cheap imported labor who are not properly trained). You know, it's not like a car where you can just pull over :-)

I was thinking of the title of the post, "So you want to be a regional airline pilot?" :( Of course there's dangerous flying jobs. Professional pilots are considered to have the second most dangerous job by deaths per year, but the thread pertains to regional airlines. Not banner towers, bush pilots, or crop dusters. I'm also aware it's not "like a car" as I have "plenty" of real world experience. :( And Jim, please humor me... I'd like to hear your actual thoughts, not just condescending retorts. Most of the "outsourcing" for American regional airlines are still in the states...

It basicly boils down to you get what you pay for. The pay and benifits of airline mech's continue to be eroded away by greedy managment. And a public that just want's a cheap ticket. I have voiced my opinions before,Do a search. Remember, there will always be some idiot that will do the job cheaper. And remember, You cant pull over onto a cloud. I no longer work in the industry.I work on subway trains for a lot more money and far better benifits. But I still love airplanes.

It is a horrible business to start out in. Once you are 65 though you can retire with a great benefits package :(

It basicly boils down to you get what you pay for. The pay and benifits of airline mech's continue to be eroded away by greedy managment. And a public that just want's a cheap ticket. I have voiced my opinions before,Do a search. Remember, there will always be some idiot that will do the job cheaper. And remember, You cant pull over onto a cloud. I no longer work in the industry.I work on subway trains for a lot more money and far better benifits. But I still love airplanes.

Jim, I'm glad you found something better and got out of it alive. :( I've always made the joke if I have problems with the physical--God forbid--I'd be with Norfolk Southern driving trains... I'm betting I'll be the idiot joining for less in the near future, though. :(

Yes, I look foward to going into work everyday now,And consume no more rolaids or Tums. The work is more dangerous,dealing with third rail 600VDC and components. But I now have a pension I can hopefully tap into in 13 years,when I am 65 :(

And a public that just want's a cheap ticket. I have voiced my opinions before,Do a search. Remember, there will always be some idiot that will do the job cheaper.

Yeah, damn that capitalism. Now if we were all commies, flying would be a dream... :(

I've wanted to be a pilot since I was ten, and now that I'm 22 I've finally finished up with all my ratings except my CFI, but the current economy still makes me wary. Not about flying in general, but about being an airline pilot. I really have no desire to teach kids how to fly because it wouldn't be fair to them. It's not something I have a desire to do and therefore I feel like I would be cheating them. I, nor anyone else, knows what the economy is going to look like next May when I graduate, so I'm signing my contract with the Marine Corps in two weeks. I've got a guaranteed spot in flight school when I graduate college, OCS and TBS, assuming I do well on my ASTB which I take very soon. Being a military pilot is always something I've wanted to do, but I honestly never thought it was a feasible option, but I finally woke up and realized that it IS, so I'm doing it and I couldn't be happier. I of course by no means want to shove that down anyone's throat, but it is an alternative that a lot of people are going to and the benefits are great. Steady employment, travel, great pay and benefits, and a good chance that you'll escape the regionals entirely and head to the majors, which is a nice thought.

I've wanted to be a pilot since I was ten, and now that I'm 22 I've finally finished up with all my ratings except my CFI, but the current economy still makes me wary. Not about flying in general, but about being an airline pilot. I really have no desire to teach kids how to fly because it wouldn't be fair to them. It's not something I have a desire to do and therefore I feel like I would be cheating them. I, nor anyone else, knows what the economy is going to look like next May when I graduate, so I'm signing my contract with the Marine Corps in two weeks. I've got a guaranteed spot in flight school when I graduate college, OCS and TBS, assuming I do well on my ASTB which I take very soon. Being a military pilot is always something I've wanted to do, but I honestly never thought it was a feasible option, but I finally woke up and realized that it IS, so I'm doing it and I couldn't be happier. I of course by no means want to shove that down anyone's throat, but it is an alternative that a lot of people are going to and the benefits are great. Steady employment, travel, great pay and benefits, and a good chance that you'll escape the regionals entirely and head to the majors, which is a nice thought.

Congrats! I think you made a very good decision. Went thru much the same with my daughter who is going a different route after getting her ratings but perhaps more stable as you have chosen.

great that your moving up in the flight world!!! you would be so much cooler if you took an army flying job that doesnt kill people or blow up there homes! i hope u end up with the nice people saving one :) good luck!

great that your moving up in the flight world!!! you would be so much cooler if you took an army flying job that doesnt kill people or blow up there homes! i hope u end up with the nice people saving one :) good luck!

What are you saying about the military pilots that do 'kill people'?

that killing is wrong and there is no justification and I have no support for those who do